Match Reports Junior & Senior

Skellig Rangers’ County League winning streak came to a halt on Saturday evening when they lost to Currow by 4 points in Portmagee. The home side, playing in their new kit of jerseys for the first time, never settled into the game and managed 9 wides in the opening half which was to prove costly. Currow, defensive and tough, were a tough proposition with 2 players who have worn the Kerry jersey before, Seamus Scanlon and Johnny Buckley having an influential impact on the game for the away side. Before the game, the referee Brendan Twiss carried out a quick pitch inspection and allowed the game to go ahead despite patches of the pitch being mucky.

In the first half, Skellig Rangers only managed 2 points, one from Micheál O’ Sullivan who kicked over a rolling ball on the ground after being played through by Martin O’ Sullivan and one from Ciaran Keating on the 25th minute when he slotted over. Currow were proving difficult to beat around the middle with Seamus Scanlon fielding high ball uncontested and Ian Somers winning breaking ball on the ground. Johnny Buckley and Mike McCarthy tapped over points for the away side and the impressive and lively Buckley goaled from a high ball in midways through the half after a defensive mix up between goalkeeper Padraig O’ Sullivan and Shamus O’ Sullivan. Shamus O’ Sullivan picked up an injury and was replaced by Gerard O’ Sullivan and the half ended with the scoreboard looking bleak for Rangers, 1-7 to 0-2.

The second half began with Skellig Rangers coming out of the blocks the quickest and really asserted themselves into the game with Martin O’ Sullivan kicking over from close range with his left leg, Aidan O’ Sullivan broke from midfield and curled over a good point and Ciara Keating kicked over a couple of points to reduce the deficit to just 3 points at one stage. However, Currow ensure their lead wouldn’t be reduced further when Mike McCarthy scored from close to the sideline which proved vital for the home side. Johnny Buckley added a further point after being played through by the dominant Seamus Scanlon which ensured the home side had to overturn a 5 point deficit in 5 minutes. Ciaran Keating tapped over with seconds remaining which was a mere consolation for the home team. The full time score was 1-9 to 0-8. Skellig Rangers never got going in the first half but you couldn’t fault their effort in the second half while Currow had Seamus Scanlon to thank in the middle and Johnny Buckley was threatening in the forwards.

Skellig Rangers Junior team kicked off their County League campaign with an 8 point win over Templenoe on Friday night. The heavy conditions of the pitch surface didn't allow free-flowing football to occur so it was all about possession football, short passes and a defensive mentality. Both teams made basic errors which was to be expected as this was the Junior's team first outing together this year and a cross field wind added with slippery conditions resulted in misplaced passes and simple errors. However, Skellig Rangers seemed to grow into the game and were ahead at Half Time thanks to scores from the likes of Mike Reardon who kicked from 40 yards,Bernard Casey, Micheál O' Sullivan, Brendan O' Keefe, Ronan O' Shea and Brendan O' Sullivan. In the second half, Skellig played into the lower goal defending a decent lead but Templenoe had their purple patch in the game where they kicked over 3 points to make the scoreline some bit respectable coming into the last quarter. John Tyler, excellent for the home side throughout, added further points and Bernard Casey executed sublime technique with a free from a narrow angle. Stephen Murphy, Aaron Shea, Brendan Devane, Declan O' Donoghoue and Joe Moore all came on and did well ensuring the manager Mark Conway will have a selection headache for the next game! It was a gritty win and a spirited performance for the Juniors with Gerard O' Sullivan and Mike Walsh commanding in the backs, Brendan O' Keefe doing well in midfield, John Tyler and the returning Brendan O' Sullivan were lively and threatening in the wing forwards, Bernard Casey influential all game and Mike Reardon worked tirelessly throughout. Well done to all. The juniors next game is next Friday night in Beaufort at 7.30pm.